Andrew Gillum met his future wife R. Jai Gillum in college, but it took several years before they went out on their first date. Today, they are happily married and are the proud parents of three lovely children. Gillum is running for the seat of the governor of Florida, and his wife is supporting and advising him all the way there. R. Jai Gillum is educated and has a flourishing career of her own. She is concerned about the welfare of the people of Florida, and everybody agrees that she would make a great First Lady of the Florida State.

Jai Gillum, age 40, is one year older than her husband. Her maiden name is Rashada Jai Howard, but she has been popularly known as R. Jai Gillum ever since she married Andrew Gillum.

Andrew Gillum is an American politician who has been serving his first term as the Mayor of Tallahassee since 2014. He was chosen as the Florida Democratic Party’s nominee for the seat of Governor of Florida after unexpectedly winning the Florida primary election on August 28, 2018.

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Now, many want to know more about Andrew Gillum’s wife. So, here are some details from R. Jai Gillum’s wiki.

She Has a Passion for Helping People

Jai Gillum is currently the director of Foundation Affairs at the Florida Dental Association. She has been serving in this capacity since October 2016.

Before that, she was an executive director at United Way of the Big Bend’s BEST Project, whose mission is to “help people achieve long-term financial stability and quality of life through services such as tax preparation help.” She was also the director of Income and Health Strategies for just over four years starting in 2012.

Gillum had a six month stint in 2012 as the development director at Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Big Bend following her position as the director of appointments at the Office of the Chief Financial Officer for the Florida Department of Financial Services between 2008 and 2011.

She was a staff director at the Florida Financial Literary Council in the same department for a year before taking this position.

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She started her career as a gubernatorial fellow at the Florida Department of Health in 2004. She worked in this capacity for a year before becoming a development coordinator for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Big Bend for a year.

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R. Jai Gillum’s Education

Gillum studied at Sidney Lanier High School from 1993 to 1996 before enrolling at the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She was the student body vice president from 2000 to 2001 and proved her worth in both academics and extra-curricular activities.

After completing her undergraduate degree, Gillum obtained a degree in health, policy, and management from the same university.

Armed with both formal education and a heart full of passion, Gillum set out to make a difference in the world.

How Did Andrew and R. Jai Gillum Meet?

How Gillum hooked up with her now-husband is quite a story that people never get tired of listening to.

She met Andrew Gillum when they were classmates at Florida A&M University. And their paths crossed many times in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

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They were both members of the Student Government Association, but it wasn’t love at first sight. Gillum liked her and thought of an innovative way to flirt with her.

When she came in one day wearing a short skirt, Gillum gave her a warning and told her to leave the chamber because she was not dressed appropriately. She insists that she was wearing a business suit that day, but Gillum was in no mood to listen.

Gillum recalled, “My way of flirting was to penalize her. She was the only person I ever had to give a demerit to for wearing a short dress.”

Not surprisingly, the pair never dated while they were in college.

Jai Gillum went away for a few years chasing career opportunities. She later returned to Florida A&M University to pursue further studies while her future husband became the youngest person ever to be elected as a member of the Tallahassee City Commission.

They met by chance at the Governor’s Square Mall. Andrew Gillum was carrying two cell phones and pager to boot—a clear sign to her that he was just too busy for romance! They talked for a while before Gillum gave her his home phone number, but she never called him.

A few months after this meeting, their mutual mentors at the university decided to get them together finally by arranging a “meet-cute.” Both arrived not knowing that the other would be there, but this time Cupid struck strongly.

They made plans to get together the following weekend and went for a date at Bennigan’s and the sparks finally flew! Looking back now, they jokingly call it “the first date that never ended.”

She Finally Said “Yes” to His Proposal

Finally, Andrew Gillum proposed to her but instead of asking her to become his wife, he asked her to become his “life partner.” She said “yes” and the couple got married on May 24, 2009, and began a new chapter in their lives.

After the wedding, the couple decided to wait a year before having children. They took the time to enjoy each other as newlyweds and further their careers.

The Gillums Have Three Adorable Children

It took a while, but Gillum finally gave birth to twins. They had a baby boy and girl, whom they named Jackson Gillum and Caroline Gillum.

From then on, their happiness knew no bounds and they hunkered down with the intention to build a great life for their adorable babies. Then, they had their third child, a boy they named Davis Gillum.

Seeing Andrew Gillum so busy with his campaign for becoming governor of Florida, many often wonder if he has time for his family, especially his children.

R. Jai Gillum has put those doubts to rest and said, “Andrew is a really great dad, he’s making sure that this campaign doesn’t affect our family time and our family life.”

He Can’t Stop Gushing about His Wife

Andrew Gillum values his wife, along with her advice and support. He gushed that, “R. Jai is, I think, the epitome of grace, really in all ways.”

He went on to add, “And I’ve known that about her from the very, very beginning. I think she cares deeply about not only our family, but she cares deeply about any causes she’s ever been involved with.”

R. Jai Gillum Has a Lot on Her Plate

Gillum is wholly focused on the important issues in her life: her children, her husband’s campaign to become governor of Florida, her own career, and the welfare of Florida’s residents.

She is educated, ambitious, and concerned about others, which is why she has everything needed to become a great First Lady of Florida if her husband wins the election. R. Jai Gillum is working hard and keeping her fingers crossed!